Nature Day Camp at NatureHaven for Kids...and Adults
with Naturalist / Writer Laurie DiCesare
NatureHaven8@Hughes.net Phone: 802-893-1845
For eight summers, Laurie worked as a Naturalist / Recreation Director for the State of Vermont at Lake Carmi (2001) and Grand Isle State Parks (2002 – 2008.) In 2009, when the State did not hire any park naturalists, Laurie started a small, natural history day camp based out of her home, NatureHaven, for two to four children between the ages of ~6 and 12. Potential nature campers are inquisitive, able to work well both independently and with other campers, and have a growing interest in the natural world. Activities are adjusted for age and ability.
This camp features:
- individual and group nature projects
observing and learning about new plants and animals each week
- edible and medicinal plants studies
identification, Native American and traditional uses, and folklore of local plants (including precautions and herbal remedies for plants such as stinging nettles)
- weekly field trips to nearby natural areas
insect and other “critter” observation, identification and interactions at
Eagle Mountain, Milton Pond, Diversity Hill, Sandbar State Pk., etc.
Other possible activities may include:
- Arts & Crafts
Basic origami, beading, knot tying, drawing and painting...;
- Languages
Spelling and creative writing (English), beginning French, Am. Sign Language;
- Music
Singing familiar melodies and folk songs, intro. piano lessons (optional);
- Organic Gardening
Flower and vegetable gardening, composting and vermiculture (worms!);
- Rainy Day Activities
Unique, interactive games including Boggle, Razzle (fast-paced word-spotting game), Mah Jongg (Chinese tile game of flexibility and choices), Quinto (counting by 5s), Shogun (a cross between checkers and chess); and award- winning GameWright (educational) games.
NatureHaven, a former dairy farm situated on 1.4 acres of rich farm soil in Milton, Vermont, supports organic flower, herb and vegetable gardens with a large variety of flowering shrubs, berry bushes and trees. (Additional information on back.)
NatureHaven Day Camp L. DiCesare
Additional Information
Dates: Camp will be open June through August 2011.
Fee: $125. per week per child; ~8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday – Friday. I will consider part- time options but preference will be given to full-time participants.
Total enrollment: two to four children.
Individualized teen to adult field trips and day camps (from a 1/2 day outing to a 5-day camp) are also available. Nature explorations make great gifts for birthdays and other special occasions.
Laurie’s Qualifications
Secondary Education degree from the University of VT (State of VT Highly Qualified Teacher status 2004) with a major in biology and minor in French. Laurie is fluent in French, is an intermediate American Sign Language student and has recently started studying Chinese;
After-school Program Coordinator, Colchester Middle School (part-time 2005.) This included supervision of children, teaching educational games and leading other recreational activities like plant and insect walks;
Assistant Teacher, Munchkinland Montessori, Georgia, VT. (Jan-Feb. 2005);
taught beginning reading and math, French, music and nature appreciation;
Author of A Field Guide to Colchester’s Parks and Natural Areas (1994); published natural history author and poet;
Vermont Entomological Society (insects and allies) member since 1996; intensive week-long study of dragonflies on VES grant (2007); VES NEWS contributor;
Elderhostel Director at Eagle Hill (Humboldt Field Research Institute) in Steuben, Maine; participated in week-long intensives with Dr. James Duke (co-author of Peterson’s Eastern / Central Medicinal Plants) and botanist Jerry Jenkins. Laurie has a 30+ year specialty in edible / medicinal plants of northeastern U.S.;
Member of Champlain Writers, a Burlington-based published writers’ group;
National Association of Interpreters certification (2008);
UVM Extension Classes: SOUL Tree graduate (2007); Master Gardener (2009); Master Composter intern (2010);
Member, Milton Conservation Commission (2005 – present.)
Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.
- Goethe